Apparatus, method and article to identify discrepancies between clients and in response prompt clients in a networked environment

ABSTRACT

Information related to apparently successful end users is collected, stored, and used to generate at least one evaluation criteria to compare to at least one component of a respective end user desiring to become a successful end user. The information may be generated based on comparative information with other entities who appear to share some components with the respective end user. The components may be based on actual actions, preferences, constraints, attributes, etc. A number of components of the respective end user are compared relative to a set of defined evaluation criteria that specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some of those components. In response to detecting at least one discrepancy, a prompt is provided to the respective end user indicative of the discrepancy.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to networked systems andmethods and articles. In particular the present disclosure relates tosystems, methods, and articles that automate comparison ofclient-related components and actions and prompt clients in response todiscrepancies.

Description of the Related Art

A hosted service may analyze certain information or data and generate aprompt to an entity seeking to find a match with another entity.Entities may, for example, take the form of individuals who areattempting to find other individuals or businesses. For instance, anindividual may be seeking a social relationship with another individual.Social relationships may, for example, include platonic friendships,romantic dating, activities (e.g., biking, hiking, sports teams), orseeking partners for short or long term social commitments (e.g.,marriage, civil union). Alternatively, an individual may seek a businessrelationship with another individual or a business entity. Businessrelationships may include long term business relationships (e.g.,professional relationships) or short term relationships (e.g., singlejob relationships). For instance, an individual may seek a health careprovider (e.g., physician, dentist), some other professional (e.g.,accountant, lawyer, plumber, electrician, or contractor) or some otherbusiness relationship (e.g., day laborer, house cleaner, sitter, orchildcare). Also, for instance, an employer may seek job applicants tofill one or more positions.

An entity seeking a relationship may specify some necessary or desiredcriteria (e.g., constraints) which may be compared with respect torespective aspects, attributes, or characteristics of a pool of possiblecandidates to find one or more matches or potential candidates.Additionally or alternatively, the entity seeking the relationship mayspecify criteria about themselves, which may be compared with respect toaspects, attributes, or characteristics of the pool of possiblecandidates to find one or more matches or potential candidates.

Many end user clients may find the user of such hosted servicesfrustrating, particularly if the end user client is not finding suitablepotential candidates or matches, or is not receiving a sufficient levelof inquiries and/or responses to inquiries. Improving the end userexperience is desirable since these hosted services provide real valueif properly used and given sufficient opportunity to produce potentialcandidates or matches.

BRIEF SUMMARY

End users of hosted services may become frustrated when few potentialcandidates or matches are provided. End users may likewise becomefrustrated when the end user receives few inquiries from other endusers. End users may further become frustrated when their attempts tocontact other end users prove unsuccessful, often not even eliciting aresponse. All of these are considered unsuccessful outcomes. Incontrast, successful outcomes are those in which an end user receivesample selection of potential candidates or matches, receives ampleinquiries from other end users, and receives responses to their owninquires.

Often times the difference between unsuccessful and successful outcomesare well in control of the end user. However, the end user fails toappreciate the reasons for the lack of success, or lacks some skillswhich successful end users possess. For example, an end user may be tooterse in a end user's own profile or in a message sent to other endusers. On the other hand, an end user may be too verbose in the enduser's own profile or message. Also for example, an end user may notupdate the end user's own profile or pictures frequently enough. As afurther example, the end user may not send a sufficient number ofmessages to other end users, or reply to other end user's messagesfrequently or promptly enough. As an even further example, the enduser's own actions may appear inconsistent with the end user's statedintent or may otherwise be sending the wrong message.

Many of these failings are easily addressable if discovered and broughtto the attention of the end user. Thus, various approaches toidentifying these failings are described herein, as well as prompting orcoaching an end user to take corrective actions. These various failingsare identified as discrepancies from desired behavior. The desiredbehavior may be determined by how other end users are acting orperforming, particularly other end users who are more successful infinding potential candidates or matches, A method of operating aprocessor-based hosted services system to provide services to aplurality of remotely located users via user operated processor-baseddevices over network infrastructures may be summarized as including foreach of a number of users, reviewing by at least one processor of theprocessor-based hosted services system a number of components of arespective user profile for the user relative to a set of definedevaluation criteria that specifies defined evaluation criteria for atleast some of those components. In response to detecting at least onediscrepancy between the components of the respective user profile andthe set of defined evaluation criteria, the method includes causing aprompt to be provided to the user indicative of the discrepancy.

The reviewing process may be responsive to a request received from therespective user. Reviewing the number of components of the respectiveuser profile may be automatically performed in response to an updatingof the user profile by the respective user. Reviewing the number ofcomponents of the respective user profile may be automatically performedon a periodic basis, independent of any requests received from therespective user or any updating of the user profile by the respectiveuser. Reviewing the number of components of the respective user profilemay include: determining how recently the respective user profile wasupdated; comparing a recentness of the update or addition of therespective user profile to a defined evaluation recentness; andidentifying a discrepancy if the recentness of the update of therespective user profile is longer than the defined evaluationrecentness. Reviewing the number of components of the respective userprofile may include: determining how frequently the respective userprofile is updated; comparing the determined frequency of the updatingof the respective user profile to a defined evaluation frequency; andidentifying a discrepancy if the frequency of the updating of therespective user profile is less than the defined evaluation frequency.Reviewing the number of components of the respective user profile mayinclude: determining how recently an image of the user was updated oradded to the respective user profile; comparing a recentness of theimage update or addition with a defined evaluation recentness; andidentifying a discrepancy if the recentness of the image update oraddition is longer than the defined evaluation recentness. Reviewing thenumber of components of the respective user profile may include:determining a length of a profile description, and identifying adiscrepancy if the determined length of the profile description is atleast one of shorter than a defined evaluation minimum profiledescription length or greater than a defined evaluation maximum profiledescription length. Reviewing the number of components of the respectiveuser profile may include comparing at least two profile components forconsistency between one another.

Comparing at least two profile components for consistency between oneanother may include comparing a user-specified current relationshipstatus and a user-specified type of desired relationship forconsistency. Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may includecausing a presentation of at least an indication of an existence of anapparent inconsistency and at least one or more user-selectable icons,selection of which is indicative of whether the user intended theapparent inconsistency. Causing a prompt to be provided to the user mayinclude causing comparative information to be presented to the user, thecomparative information indicative of components of user profiles forother ones of the users who share at least one attribute with the user.Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may include causingpresentation of comparative information to the user of, the comparativeinformation representative of at least a defined minimum number of otherones of users.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayinclude, in response to an insufficient number of other ones of theusers being available based on a set of defined criteria including atleast a defined geographic area, generating the comparative informationbased on other ones of the users from a wider geographic area than thedefined geographic area specified in the set of defined criteria toachieve at least the defined minimum number of other ones of the users.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include generating the comparative information based on only onactive users.

Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may include causinginformation that compares a total number of images of the user to atotal number of images for a set of other ones of the users who sharecommon demographic information with the user. Causing a prompt to beprovided to the user may include causing information that compares howoften the user updates images of the user to how often a set of otherones of the users who share common demographic information with the userupdate respective images to be presented to the user. Causing a promptto be provided to the user may include causing information that comparesa total number of self identified interests of the user to a totalnumber of self identified interests for a set of other ones of the userswho share common demographic information with the user to be presentedto the user. Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may includecausing information that compares a length of self description of theuser to a length of a self description for a set of other ones of theusers who share common demographic information with the user to bepresented to the user. Causing a prompt to be provided to the user mayinclude causing information that compares how frequently the userupdates the respective user profile to how frequently a set of otherones of the users who share common demographic information with the userupdate the respective user profiles to be presented to the user. Causinga prompt to be provided to the user may include causing information thatcompares how frequently the user accesses the processor-based hostedservices system to how frequently a set of other ones of the users whoshare common demographic information with the user access theprocessor-based hosted services system to be presented to the user.Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may include causinginformation that compares how frequently the user sends messages toother users to how frequently a set of other ones of the users who sharecommon demographic information with the user send messages to otherusers. Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may include causinginformation that compares how frequently the user responds to messagesfrom other users to how frequently a set of other ones of the users whoshare common demographic information with the user respond to messagesfrom other users to be presented to the user. Causing a prompt to beprovided to the user may include causing a visual indication to bedisplayed at least proximate at least one of an item of information or afield in which at least an apparent discrepancy appears.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include causing visual indication in the form of a highlightingof an item of information or a field, a bounding of an item ofinformation or a field, or displaying a balloon at least proximate atleast one of an item of information or a field in which at least anapparent discrepancy appears.

Causing a prompt to be provided to the user may include causing ananchored evaluation prompt to be displayed on each of a plurality ofpages presented to the user; the anchored evaluation prompt may beindicative of a respective evaluation of the user. Causing an anchoredhealth prompt to be displayed on each of a plurality of pages presentedto the user includes causing a meter to be displayed on the plurality ofpages presented to the user; the meter may be indicative of therespective evaluation of the user. The meter may be indicative of asuccess rate of the user. The meter may be indicative of an evaluationof the respective user profile of the user relative to other userprofiles of other ones of the users.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include determining a number of selections by other users of atleast one of a field or a piece of content of the respective userprofile of the user prior to a change in the at least one of the fieldor the piece of content of the respective user profile of the user;determining a number of selections by other users of at least one of afield or a piece of content of the respective user profile of the userfollowing to the change in the at least one of the field or the piece ofcontent of the respective user profile of the user; comparing the numberof selections by other users of at least one of the field or the pieceof content of the respective user profile of the user following thechange to the number of selections by other users of at least one of thefield or the piece of content of the respective user profile of the userprior to the change; and reporting a result of the comparing to theuser.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include determining a value indicative of lingering by otherusers of at least one of a field or a piece of content of the respectiveuser profile of the user prior to a change in the at least one of thefield or the piece of content of the respective user profile of theuser; determining a value indicative of lingering by other users of atleast one of a field or a piece of content of the respective userprofile of the user following the change in the at least one of thefield or the piece of content of the respective user profile of theuser; comparing the value indicative of lingering by other users of atleast one of the field or the piece of content of the respective userprofile of the user following the change to the value indicative oflingering by other users of at least one of the field or the piece ofcontent of the respective user profile of the user prior to the change;and reporting a result of the comparing to the user.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include determining a frequency of sending messages to otherusers by the user; comparing the determined frequency to a definedfrequency threshold; and, in response to the determined frequency beingbelow the defined frequency threshold, prompting the user to send amessage.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include identifying a set of other users based on informationsupplied by the user, the information supplied by the user indicative ofattributes the user desires in other users; determining a set of sharedattributes the other users in the identified set of other users desire;and providing the user with an indication of at least some of the sharedattributes in the determined set of shared attributes.

The method of operating a processor-based hosted services system toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over network infrastructures mayfurther include automatically segregating a number of message sent tothe user based on at least one defined criteria. The automaticallysegregating may be based at least in part on a number of user specifiedcriteria. The user specified criteria may include a number of userspecified key words or key phrases. The automatically segregating may bebased at least in part on a number of system specified criteria. Thesystem specified criteria may include a number of system specified keywords or key phrases. The automatically segregating may be based atleast in part on a length of the respective message. The messages may besegregated into a set of delivered messages and a set of quarantinedmessages.

A processor-based hosted services system to provide services to aplurality of remotely located users via user operated processor-baseddevices over network infrastructures may be summarized as including anumber of communications ports that provide communications with aplurality of user devices. The end user devices may be logicallyassociatable with a plurality of user client accounts of theprocessor-based hosted services. The user client accounts may belogically associable with user clients of the processor-based hostedservice. At least one nontransitory processor-readable medium stores atleast one of processor executable instructions or data. At least oneprocessor is communicatively coupled to the communications ports and atleast one nontransitory processor-readable medium, and that: for each ofa number of user client accounts, reviews by at least one processor ofthe processor-based hosted services system a number of components of arespective user profile for the user relative to a set of definedevaluation criteria that specifies defined evaluation criteria for atleast some of those components; and in response to detecting at leastone discrepancy between the components of the respective user profileand the set of defined evaluation criteria, causes a prompt to beprovided to the user indicative of the discrepancy.

The at least one processor may review the number of components inresponse to a request received from the respective user. The at leastone processor may review the number of components automatically inresponse to an updating of the user profile by the respective user. Theat least one processor may review the number of components automaticallyon a periodic basis, independent of any requests received from therespective user or any updating of the user profile by the respectiveuser. The at least one processor may further: determine how recently therespective user profile was updated; compare a recentness of the updateor addition of the respective user profile to a defined evaluationrecentness; and identify a discrepancy if the recentness of the updateof the respective user profile is longer than the defined evaluationrecentness. The at least one processor may further: determine howfrequently the respective user profile is updated; compare thedetermined frequency of the updating of the respective user profile to adefined evaluation frequency; and identify a discrepancy if thefrequency of the updating of the respective user profile is less thanthe defined evaluation frequency.

The at least one processor may further: determine how recently an imageof the user was updated or added to the respective user profile; comparea recentness of the image update or addition with a defined evaluationrecentness; and identify a discrepancy if the recentness of the imageupdate or addition is longer than the defined evaluation recentness. Theat least one processor may further: determine a length of a profiledescription, and identify a discrepancy if the determined length of theprofile description is at least one of shorter than a defined evaluationminimum profile description length or greater than a defined evaluationmaximum profile description length. The at least one processor mayfurther compare at least two profile components for consistency betweenone another. The at least one processor may further compare a userspecified current relationship status and a user specified type ofdesired relationship for consistency. The at least one processor mayfurther cause a prompt to be provided to the user and cause apresentation of at least an indication of an existence of an apparentinconsistency and at least one or more user selectable icons, selectionof which is indicative of whether the user intended the apparentinconsistency. The at least one processor may further cause comparativeinformation to be presented to the user; the comparative information maybe indicative of components of user profiles for other ones of the userswho share at least one attribute with the user. The at least oneprocessor may further cause presentation of comparative information tothe user; the comparative information may be representative of at leasta defined minimum number of other ones of users. In response to aninsufficient number of other ones of the users being available based ona set of defined criteria including at least a defined geographic area,the at least one processor may generate the comparative informationbased on other ones of the users from a wider geographic area than thedefined geographic area specified in the set of defined criteria toachieve at least the defined minimum number of other ones of the users.

The at least one processor may generate the comparative informationbased only on active users. The at least one processor may further causeinformation that compares a total number of images of the user to atotal number of images for a set of other ones of the users who sharecommon demographic information with the user. The at least one processormay compare how often the user updates images of the user to how often aset of other ones of the users who share common demographic informationwith the user update respective images. The at least one processor maycompare a total number of self identified interests of the user to atotal number of self identified interests for a set of other ones of theusers who share common demographic information with the user. The atleast one processor may compare a length of self description of the userto a length of a self description for a set of other ones of the userswho share common demographic information with the user. The at least oneprocessor may compare how frequently the user updates the respectiveuser profile to how frequently a set of other ones of the users whoshare common demographic information with the user update the respectiveuser profiles. The at least one processor may compare how frequently theuser accesses the processor-based hosted services system to howfrequently a set of other ones of the users who share common demographicinformation with the user access the processor-based hosted servicessystem. The at least one processor may compare how frequently the usersends messages to other users to how frequently a set of other ones ofthe users who share common demographic information with the user sendmessages to other users. The at least one processor may compare howfrequently the user responds to messages from other users to howfrequently a set of other ones of the users who share common demographicinformation with the user respond to messages from other users.

The at least one processor may cause a visual indication to be displayedat least proximate at least one of an item of information or a field inwhich at least an apparent discrepancy appears. The at least oneprocessor may cause visual indication in the form of a highlighting ofan item of information or a field, a bounding of an item of informationor a field, or displaying a balloon at least proximate at least one ofan item of information or a field in which at least an apparentdiscrepancy appears. The at least one processor may cause an anchoredevaluation prompt to be displayed on each of a plurality of pagespresented to the user; the anchored evaluation prompt may be indicativeof a respective evaluation of the user. The at least one processor maycause an anchored evaluation prompt to be displayed on each of aplurality of pages presented to the user that may include causing ameter to be displayed on the plurality of pages presented to the user;the meter may be indicative of the respective evaluation of the user.The meter may be indicative of a success rate of the user. The meter maybe indicative of an evaluation of the respective user profile of theuser relative to other user profiles of other ones of the users.

The processor-based hosted services system may further include:determining a number of selections by other users of at least one of afield or a piece of content of the respective user profile of the userprior to a change in the at least one of the field or the piece ofcontent of the respective user profile of the user; determining a numberof selections by other users of at least one of a field or a piece ofcontent of the respective user profile of the user following the changein the at least one of the field or the piece of content of therespective user profile of the user; comparing the number of selectionsby other users of at least one of the field or the piece of content ofthe respective user profile of the user following the change to thenumber of selections by other users of at least one of the field or thepiece of content of the respective user profile of the user prior to thechange; and reporting a result of the comparing to the user.

The processor-based hosted services system may further includedetermining a value indicative of lingering by other users on at leastone of a field or a piece of content of the respective user profile ofthe user prior to a change in the at least one of the field or the pieceof content of the respective user profile of the user; determining avalue indicative of lingering by other users on at least one of a fieldor a piece of content of the respective user profile of the userfollowing to the change in the at least one of the field or the piece ofcontent of the respective user profile of the user; comparing the valueindicative of lingering by other users on at least one of the field orthe piece of content of the respective user profile of the userfollowing the change to the value indicative of lingering by other userson at least one of the field or the piece of content of the respectiveuser profile of the user prior to the change; and reporting a result ofthe comparing to the user.

The processor-based hosted services system may further include:determining a frequency of sending messages to other users by the user;comparing the determined frequency to a defined frequency threshold; inresponse to the determined frequency being below the defined frequencythreshold, prompting the user to send a message. The processor-basedhosted services system may further include: identifying a set of otherusers based on information supplied by the user, the informationsupplied by the user indicative of attributes the user desires in otherusers; determining a set of shared attributes the other users in theidentified set of other users desire; and providing the user with anindication of at least some of the shared attributes in the determinedset of shared attributes. The processor-based hosted services system mayfurther include automatically segregating a number of messages sent tothe user based on at least one defined criteria. The at least oneprocessor may automatically segregate based at least in part on a numberof user specified criteria. The user specified criteria may include anumber of user specified key words or key phrases. The at least oneprocessor may automatically segregate based at least in part on a numberof system specified criteria. The system specified criteria may includea number of system specified key words or key phrases. The automaticallysegregating may be based at least in part on a length of the respectivemessage. The messages may be segregated into a set of delivered messagesand a set of quarantined messages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a networked processor-based environment toprovide services to a plurality of remotely located users via useroperated processor-based devices over a network, according to oneillustrated embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a hosted service system fordiscrepancy detection and prompting networked to one of the end userclient processor-based devices, according to one illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a networked processor-based environment toprovide services to a particular user based on a set of defined criteriaof a plurality of users, according to one illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a high level method of operation ofproviding services to a particular user based on a set of definedcriteria of a plurality of users, according to one illustratedembodiment.

FIGS. 5-15 are flow diagrams showing methods of operation of providingservices to a particular user based on a set of defined criteria of aplurality of users, according to illustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known structures associated with computer systems,server computers, and/or communications networks have not been shown ordescribed in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of theembodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, suchas, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open,inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a networked environment 100 in which hosted services areprovided by a service entity 102 to a plurality of end user cliententities 104 a-104 n (only five shown, collectively 104), according toone illustrated embodiment.

The service entity 102 operates one or more hosted services systems 106.The hosted services system(s) 106 is(are) communicatively coupled orcommunicatively coupleable via one or more networks 108 to one or moreprocessor-based devices 110 a-110 n (5 shown, collectively 110)associated with the end user client entities 104.

The service entity 102 may take any of a variety of forms. For example,the service entity 102 may take the form of an individual or businessthat provides host services, for instance hosted services that allow enduser entities to identify potential candidates or matches for varioustypes of relationships (e.g., personal, business, consumer). The hostedservices advantageously include discrepancy identification and promptingservices. The hosted services may include identifying discrepanciesbetween a given end user entities' 104 a information, actions, and/oractivities, and those of other end user entities 104 b-104 n.Particularly, the discrepancies may be based on a set of other end userswho are classified or considered as having relative success in use ofthe hosted services. Such success may, for example, be indicated by thenumber or percentage of potential candidates or matches and/or a levelor frequency of interactions with potential candidates or matches. Thehosted services may also include providing discrepancy prompts,suggestions, and/or indicators to end user client entities 104 a forwhom discrepancies have been identified. For example, if, as compared toother end user client entities 104 b-104 n with relatively high rates ofpositive interactions with other end user client entities 104 b-104 n(i.e., successful), the end user client entity 104 a has one or morediscrepancies in profile attributes or characteristics and/or in actionsor activities, the service entity 102 may prompt the user 104 a tochange/update the end user client entities' profile and/or change his orher acts or activities to improve the likelihood of increasing positiveinteractions. Criteria may, for example, include maintaining an end userprofile with sufficient images or photographs and/or with images orphotographs that are sufficiently recent, frequency of update in profileinformation and/or images or photographs, evaluation of descriptionlengths, frequency of attempts to contact other end user entities,frequency and/or promptness in responding contact attempts from or byother end user entities, and/or frequency of use of the hosted services.

The end user client entities 104 may take any variety of forms, forexample, being of any of a variety of sizes. In many instances, the enduser client entities 104 will be individuals looking to establishrelationships with other individuals. Alternatively, the end user cliententities 104 will be individuals looking to establish relationships withbusinesses (e.g., sole proprietorship, small corporations, partnerships,limited partnerships, limited liability companies, small or largecorporations, multi-national corporations, other companies orbusinesses). As a further alternative, the end user client entities 104may be businesses looking to establish relationships with otherbusinesses or with individuals.

Each end user client entity 104 may be logically or otherwise associatedwith one or more processor-based devices 110 a-110 n, at least wheninteracting with the hosted service. The processor-based devices 110 maytake any of a large variety of forms, including but not limited topersonal computers (e.g., desktop computers 110 a, 110 c, 110 k, orlaptop computers 110 e, net book computers 110 i, tablet computers 110f, 110 h, smart phones 110 b, 110 d, 110 g, 110 j, workstation computers110 n, and/or mainframe computers (not shown), and the like.

Notably, some end user client entities 104 c, 104 n may be logicallyassociated with a single processor-based device 110 g, 110 n,respectively. In many instances, each respective end user client entity104 a, 104 b, 104 d may be logically associated with two or moreprocessor-based devices. The logical association may be established viaan account record or other data structure which may be set up when theend user client entity 104 registers with the service entity 102. Forexample, an account may be set up for the end user client entity 104,which specifies device address information (e.g., uniform resourcelocator or URL, phone number, SIM mobile subscriber identifier, mobileequipment identifier, MAC address) for one or more processor-baseddevices 110. The logical association may be established on an ad hocbasis, for example in response to an end user client entity 104 logginginto a portal (e.g., Web portal) using one or more applications (e.g.,browser) executed on or by one of the processor-based devices 110. Suchmay include the entering of a user name and a password by the end userclient entity 104, and verification of the user name and password withan end user client entity account by the hosted services systems 106.Such ad hoc logical associations may be temporary, and may move fromprocessor-based device 110 to processor-based device 110 as theparticular end user client entity 104 moves.

The processor-based devices 110 are capable of communications, forexample via one or more networks 108 (e.g., Wide Area Networks, LocalArea Networks), for instance packet switched communications networks,such as the Internet, Worldwide Web portion of the Internet, extranets,intranets, and/or various other types of telecommunications networkssuch as cellular phone and data networks, and plain old telephone system(POTS) networks. The type of communications infrastructure should not beconsidered limiting. One or more communications interface devices 112a-112 d (four shown, collectively 112) may provide communicationsbetween the processor-based device 100 and the network(s) 108. Thecommunications interface devices 112 may take any of a large variety offorms, including modems (e.g., DSL modem, cable modem), routers, networkswitches, and/or bridges, etc.

The hosted services system 106 operates as an intermediary between theprocessor-based devices 110 of the end user client entities 104. Thehosted services may include identifying potential candidates or matchesfor one end user client with other end user clients. The hosted servicesmay also include evaluating a given end user client's end user entityprofiles, actions and activities relative to other end user clients toidentify discrepancies. The hosted services may also include promptingthe given end user client to change the end user's end user entityprofile, actions and/or activities to be more similar to those of otherend user entity clients that have success with the hosted servicessystem 106, for instance having positive interactions with other enduser entities and/or establishing a relationship with another end userclient entity 104. In some implementations, a backend algorithm forevaluating criteria or attribute and generating matches or potentialcandidates may be modified to address discrepancies. Such may, forexample, be done on an end user by end user basis. Thus, for certain endusers the algorithm may weight or take into account certain parametersor attributes differently than it would for other end users.

The hosted services system 106 may have one or more hosted servicesserver computers 114 (only one illustrated) to provide electroniccommunications either externally from and/or internally within theservice entity 102. To handle the load of multiple end user cliententities 104, the hosted services system 106 will typically have morethan one hosted services server computer system 114. The hosted servicessystem 106 may include one or more terminals or personal computers 116(only one shown), communicatively coupled to the hosted services servercomputer 114 via one or more wired or wireless networks 118 (only oneshown). The terminals or personal computers 116 allow input and outputby an end user (e.g., employee or contractor of the hosted servicesentity 102).

The hosted services system 106 includes at least one nontransitorycomputer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 (e.g., hard drive,RAID, RAM). The nontransitory computer- or processor-readable storagemedium 120 stores a variety of information about the end user cliententities 104, facilitating the automated analyzing, finding andreporting of matches between the end user client entities 104, andoptionally the fostering of communications there between, for instance,including the transmission of electronic correspondence includingelectronic messages and electronic replies or responses thereto.

In most implementations, the aspects, attributes or characteristics ofthe end user client entities 104 will be stored by the hosted servicesserver computer 114 and/or computer- or processor-readable storagemedium 120, for instance, in an “available end user clients” database orother data structure(s). The hosted services server computer 114 may,from time-to-time, import or write end user aspects, attributes orcharacteristics to the available end user clients database stored on thecomputer- or processor-readable storage medium 120. The hosted serviceservers computer 114 may, from time-to-time, retrieve or extract the enduser aspects, attributes or characteristics from the available end userclients database stored on the computer- or processor-readable storagemedium 120. For example, the hosted services server computer 114 mayretrieve the aspects, attributes or characteristics of the end userclient entities 104 in response to a query. For example, the hostedservices server computer 114 may retrieve the aspects, attributes orcharacteristics of a particular end user client entities 104 a inresponse to a query by one end user client entity seeking to establish asuccessful relationship with another end user client entity. Inresponse, the hosted services server computer 114 may retrieve theaspects, attributes or characteristics of successful end user cliententities 104 and review and compare the aspects, attributes orcharacteristics of the end user client entity 104 a with thecorresponding aspects, attributes or characteristics of other end userclient entities 104. It may be particularly advantageous to compare to asubset of all other end user client entities 104 b-104 n, the subsetincluding only those end user client entities 104 b-104 n who areclassified or otherwise considered as successful end user cliententities. Successful end user client entities 104 may include those enduser client entities that have a suitable or defined level of positiveinteractions with other end user client entities, whether or not suchresult is a long term relationship. Thus, successful end user cliententities may include those end user client entities who receive adefined number of contact attempts from other end user client entities.Successful end user client entities may include those end user cliententities who receive a defined number of contact attempts from other enduser client entities that meet some specified criteria. For example,receiving contact attempts from other end user client entities that aredeemed a good or very good potential candidate for a defined type ofrelationship or match. Additionally or alternatively, receiving contactattempts from other end user client entities which result in a high rateof response to the contact attempts and/or with a live meeting betweenthe end user client entities. In response to detection of one or morediscrepancies, the hosted service servers computer 114 may cause aprompt to be provide to the end user client entity 104 a indicative ofsuch discrepancy, and possibly including suggestions for addressing orcorrecting the discrepancy. Prompts may be provided for any onediscrepancy. Alternatively or additionally, prompts may be provided onlyif a defined number of discrepancies are identified. Alternatively,prompts may be provided only for discrepancies outside some range, forexample exceeding or falling below some threshold value(s). Somediscrepancies may be considered critical discrepancies, automaticallytrigger a prompt. Other discrepancies may be considered non-criticaldiscrepancies, triggering a prompt only if the discrepancy issufficiently large and/or only if there are a sufficient number ofnon-critical discrepancies.

Advantageously, aspects, attributes, or characteristics of successfulend user client entities 104 will be stored by the hosted servicesserver computer 114 and/or computer- or processor-readable storagemedium 120, for instance, in a “successful end user client” database orother data structure(s), or perhaps in a “successfully matched end userclient” in which the information of a matched pair of end user clientsis stored. The hosted services server computer 114 may, fromtime-to-time, import or write end user aspects, attributes orcharacteristics to the successful end user clients database stored onthe computer- or processor-readable storage medium 120. The hostedservices server computer 114 may, from time-to-time, retrieve or extractthe end user aspects, attributes or characteristics from successful enduser clients and/or successfully paired end user clients database storedon the computer- or processor-readable storage medium 120.

While illustrated as a single nontransitory computer- orprocessor-readable storage medium 120, in many implementations thenontransitory computer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 mayconstitute a plurality of nontransitory storage media. The plurality ofnontransitory storage media may be commonly located at a commonlocation, or distributed at a variety of remote locations. Thus, thesuccessful end user clients database and/or the successfully matched enduser client database may be implemented in one, or across more than one,nontransitory computer- or processor-readable storage media. Suchdatabase(s) may be stored separately from one another on separatecomputer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 or may be stored onthe same computer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 as oneanother. The computer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 may beco-located with the hosted services server computer system 114, forexample, in the same room, building or facility. Alternatively, thecomputer- or processor-readable storage medium 120 may be locatedremotely from the hosted services server computer system 114, forexample, in a different facility, city, state or country. Electronic ordigital information, files or records or other collections ofinformation may be stored at specific locations in non-transitorycomputer- or processor-readable media 120, thus are logicallyaddressable portions of such media, which may or may not be contiguous.

While FIG. 1 illustrates a representative networked environment 100,typical networked environments may include many additional computersystems and entities. The concepts taught herein may be employed in asimilar fashion with more populated networked environments than thatillustrated.

FIG. 2 shows a networked environment 200 comprising one or more hostedservices server computer systems 202 (only one illustrated) and one ormore associated nontransitory computer- or processor-readable storagemedium 204 (only one illustrated). The associated nontransitorycomputer- or processor-readable storage medium 204 is communicativelycoupled to the hosted services server computer system(s) 202 via one ormore communications channels, for example, one or more parallel cables,serial cables, or wireless channels capable of high speedcommunications, for instance, via FireWire®, Universal Serial Bus® (USB)2 or 3, and/or Thunderbolt®, Gigabyte Ethernet®.

The networked environment 200 also comprises one or more end user cliententity associated processor-based systems 206 (only one illustrated).The end user client entity associated processor-based systems 206 arecommunicatively coupled to the hosted services server computer system(s)202 by one or more communications channels, for example, one or morewide area networks (WANs) 210, for instance the Internet or WorldwideWeb portion thereof.

In operation, the end user client entity associated processor-basedsystems 206 typically function as a client to the hosted services servercomputing system 202. In operation, the hosted services server computersystems 202 typically functions as a server to receive requests orinformation from the end user client entity associated processor-basedsystems 206.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may update a respectiveend user client profile based on received information. The hostedservices server computer systems 202 may track actions or activities bythe end user client. For example, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may track frequency of use of the hosted services. Thehosted services server computer systems 202 may track frequency and/orrecentness of end user client profile updating. The hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 may track frequency and/or recentness of enduser client profile images or photographs. The hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may track frequency and/or recentness of end userclient profile attempts to contact other end user clients. The hostedservices server computer systems 202 may track frequency and/orrecentness and/or promptness of responding to contact attempts fromother end user client entities.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may evaluate variousattributes of the end user client entity's profile, actions andactivities relative to those of other end user client entities, forinstance successful end user client entities, in order to determine oridentify discrepancies therebetween. For example, the hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 may compare component(s) of the end userclient entity's end user client profile to components of successful enduser client entities' end user client profiles (e.g., componentscompiled into a set of evaluation criteria to compare with component(s)of the end user client entity). If at least one discrepancy is found,the hosted services server computer systems 202 may provide prompts andsuggestions to the end user client entity that are indicative of thediscrepancy. The requests may include information, for example, an enduser client entity's own aspects, attributes, or characteristics. Theinformation for identification or classification of end user clients asbeing successful may be self-reported and/or may be discernedautomatically for activities occurring via the hosted services servercomputer systems 202. For instance, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may automatically track various aspect of end user clientinteraction, including usage of the hosted services, frequency orrecentness of making contact attempts, frequency, recentness and/orpromptness in responding to contact attempts, and/or frequency orrecentness of profile updating. Additionally, or alternatively, theinformation may, for example, include desired aspects, attributes, orcharacteristics desired in others by the end user client entity in orderto form a relationship. Additionally, or alternatively, the informationmay, for example, include responses to surveys. In particular, theinformation may include responses to surveys provided by the hostedservices server computer systems 202 to end user client entities thatthe hosted services server computer systems 202 deem to be successful(e.g., successful match or pairing, successful responses to messages,views of images and profile description by others, views or images orprofile description that resulted in a contact attempt, a responded tocontact attempt, or a face-to-face meeting). Surveys may, for instance,be provided to the end user client entity as part of terminating anaccount with the hosted service, and receipt of responses to the surveymay optionally be a precondition to termination of the account.

The networked environment 200 may employ other computer systems andnetwork equipment, for example, additional servers, proxy servers,firewalls, routers and/or bridges. The hosted services server computersystems 202 will at times be referred to in the singular herein, butthis is not intended to limit the embodiments to a single device sincein typical embodiments there may be more than one hosted services servercomputer systems 202 involved. Unless described otherwise, theconstruction and operation of the various blocks shown in FIG. 2 are ofconventional design. As a result, such blocks need not be described infurther detail herein, as they will be understood by those skilled inthe relevant art.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may include one or moreprocessing units 212 a, 212 b (collectively 212), a system memory 214and a system bus 216 that couples various system components, includingthe system memory 214 to the processing units 212. The processing units212 may be any logic processing unit, such as one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs) 212 a, digital signal processors (DSPs) 212 b,application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The system bus 216 can employ any known busstructures or architectures, including a memory bus with memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus. The system memory 214includes read-only memory (“ROM”) 218 and random access memory (“RAM”)220. A basic input/output system (“BIOS”) 222, which can form part ofthe ROM 218, contains basic routines that help transfer informationbetween elements within the hosted services server computer system(s)202, such as during start-up.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may include a hard diskdrive 224 for reading from and writing to a hard disk 226, an opticaldisk drive 228 for reading from and writing to removable optical disks232, and/or a magnetic disk drive 230 for reading from and writing tomagnetic disks 234. The optical disk 232 can be a CD-ROM, while themagnetic disk 234 can be a magnetic floppy disk or diskette. The harddisk drive 224, optical disk drive 228 and magnetic disk drive 230 maycommunicate with the processing unit 212 via the system bus 216. Thehard disk drive 224, optical disk drive 228 and magnetic disk drive 230may include interfaces or controllers (not shown) coupled between suchdrives and the system bus 216, as is known by those skilled in therelevant art. The drives 224, 228 and 230, and their associatedcomputer-readable media 226, 232, 234, provide nonvolatile storage ofcomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules andother data for the hosted services server computer system 202. Althoughthe depicted hosted services server computer systems 202 is illustratedemploying a hard disk 224, optical disk 228 and magnetic disk 230, thoseskilled in the relevant art will appreciate that other types ofcomputer-readable media that can store data accessible by a computer maybe employed, such as WORM drives, RAID drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, digital video disks (“DVD”), Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs,ROMs, smart cards, etc.

Program modules can be stored in the system memory 214, such as anoperating system 236, one or more application programs 238, otherprograms or modules 240 and program data 242. Application programs 238may include instructions that cause the processor(s) 212 to receive andautomatically store aspect, attribute or characteristic informationabout the end user client entities 104 (FIG. 1 ) to the associatednontransitory computer- or processor-readable storage medium 204.Application programs 238 may also include instructions that cause theprocessor(s) 212 to receive desired aspect, attribute or characteristicinformation for the end user client entities. Application programs 238may also include instructions that cause the processor(s) 212 toautomatically process the stored aspect, attribute or characteristicinformation and to compile said information into an evaluation criteriato compare to a component(s) of an evaluated end user client entityseeking relationships. Such is described in detail herein with referenceto the various Figures.

The application programs 238 may include instructions that cause theprocessor(s) 212 to monitor end user client entity actions oractivities, determine response characteristics based on such, and updatediscrepancy detection and prompting algorithms based on such. Forinstance, as explained below, the instructions may take into accountwhether an end user client entity is currently active (e.g., logged on),a frequency of being logged on, images and other information on aprofile, duration of time spent logged on, frequency of responding tobeing messaged or approached, and/or an assessment of the popularity ofthe end user client entity (e.g., number or rate of messages).

The application programs 238 may further include instructions that causethe processor(s) 212 to identify comparative end user client entitieswho may have similar characteristics and/or similar desires to that of aparticular end user entity and such may serve as proxy or evaluationcriteria. The instructions may cause the processor(s) 212 to take intoaccount the actions or activities of these comparative end user clientsin generating prompts or suggestions for a particular end user cliententity seeking to have a successful relationship.

The system memory 214 may also include communications programs, forexample, a server 244 that causes the hosted services server computersystem 202 to serve electronic information or files via the Internet,intranets, extranets, telecommunications networks, or other networks asdescribed below. The server 244 in the depicted embodiment is markuplanguage based, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), ExtensibleMarkup Language (XML) or Wireless Markup Language (WML), and operateswith markup languages that use syntactically delimited characters addedto the data of a document to represent the structure of the document. Anumber of suitable servers may be commercially available such as thosefrom Mozilla, Google, Microsoft and Apple Computer.

While shown in FIG. 2 as being stored in the system memory 214, theoperating system 236, application programs 238, other programs/modules240, program data 242 and server 244 can be stored on the hard disk 226of the hard disk drive 224, the optical disk 232 of the optical diskdrive 228 and/or the magnetic disk 234 of the magnetic disk drive 230.

An operator can enter commands and information into the hosted servicesserver computer system(s) 202 through input devices such as a touchscreen or keyboard 246 and/or a pointing device such as a mouse 248,and/or via a graphical user interface. Other input devices can include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, tablet, scanner, etc. These and otherinput devices are connected to one or more of the processing units 212through an interface 250 such as a serial port interface that couples tothe system bus 216, although other interfaces such as a parallel port, agame port or a wireless interface or a universal serial bus (“USB”) canbe used. A monitor 252 or other display device is coupled to the systembus 216 via a video interface 254, such as a video adapter. The hostedservices server computer system(s) 202 can include other output devices,such as speakers, printers, etc.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 can operate in anetworked environment 200 using logical connections to one or moreremote computers and/or devices. For example, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 can operate in a networked environment 200 usinglogical connections to one or more end user client processor-basedsystems 206. Communications may be via a wired and/or wireless networkarchitecture, for instance, wired and wireless enterprise-wide computernetworks, intranets, extranets, and/or the Internet. Other embodimentsmay include other types of communications networks includingtelecommunications networks, cellular networks, paging networks, andother mobile networks. There may be any variety of computers, switchingdevices, routers, bridges, firewalls and other devices in thecommunications paths between the hosted services server computer systems202, the end user client processor-based systems 206.

The end user client processor-based systems 206 will typically take theform of end user processor-based devices, for instance, personalcomputers (e.g., desktop or laptop computers), net book computers,tablet computers, smart phones, personal digital assistants, workstationcomputers and/or mainframe computers, and the like, executingappropriate instructions. These end user client processor-based systems206 may be communicatively coupled to one or more server computers. Forinstance, end user client processor-based systems 206 may becommunicatively coupled externally via one or more end user cliententity server computers (not shown), which may implement a firewall. Theclient entity server computers 206 may execute a set of serverinstructions to function as a server for a number of end user clientprocessor-based systems 206 (i.e., clients) communicatively coupled viaa LAN at a facility or site, and thus act as intermediaries between theend user client processor-based systems 206 and the hosted servicesserver computer system(s) 202. The end user client processor-basedsystems 206 may execute a set of client instructions to function as aclient of the server computer(s), which are communicatively coupled viaa WAN.

The end user client processor-based systems 206 may include one or moreprocessing units 268, system memories 269 and a system bus (not shown)that couples various system components including the system memory 269to the processing unit 268. The end user client processor-based systems206 will at times each be referred to in the singular herein, but thisis not intended to limit the embodiments to a single end user clientprocessor-based systems 206. In typical embodiments, there may be morethan one end user client processor-based system 206 and there willlikely be a large number of end user client processor-based systems 206.

The processing unit 268 may be any logic processing unit, such as one ormore central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs),application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), graphical processing units (GPUs), etc.Non-limiting examples of commercially available computer systemsinclude, but are not limited to, an 80×86 or Pentium seriesmicroprocessor from Intel Corporation, U.S.A., a PowerPC microprocessorfrom IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc., a PA-RISCseries microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, a 68xxx seriesmicroprocessor from Motorola Corporation, an ATOM processor, or an A4 orA5 processor. Unless described otherwise, the construction and operationof the various blocks of the end user client processor-based systems 206shown in FIG. 2 are of conventional design. As a result, such blocksneed not be described in further detail herein, as they will beunderstood by those skilled in the relevant art.

The system bus can employ any known bus structures or architectures,including a memory bus with memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus. The system memory 269 includes read-only memory (“ROM”) 270and random access memory (“RAM”) 272. A basic input/output system(“BIOS”) 271, which can form part of the ROM 270, contains basicroutines that help transfer information between elements within the enduser client computer systems 206, such as during start-up.

The end user client processor-based systems 206 may also include one ormore media drives 273, e.g., a hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive,WORM drive, and/or optical disk drive, for reading from and writing tocomputer-readable storage media 274, e.g., hard disk, optical disks,and/or magnetic disks. The nontransitory computer-readable storage media274 may, for example, take the form of removable media. For example,hard disks may take the form of a Winchester drive, and optical diskscan take the form of CD-ROMs, while magnetic disks can take the form ofmagnetic floppy disks or diskettes. The media drive(s) 273 communicatewith the processing unit 268 via one or more system buses. The mediadrives 273 may include interfaces or controllers (not shown) coupledbetween such drives and the system bus, as is known by those skilled inthe relevant art. The media drives 273, and their associatednontransitory computer-readable storage media 274, provide nonvolatilestorage of computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules and other data for the end user client processor-based systems206. Although described as employing computer-readable storage media 274such as hard disks, optical disks and magnetic disks, those skilled inthe relevant art will appreciate that end user client processor-basedsystems 206 may employ other types of nontransitory computer-readablestorage media that can store data accessible by a computer, such asmagnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks (“DVD”),Bernoulli cartridges, RAMs, ROMs, smart cards, etc. Data or information,for example, electronic or digital files or data or metadata related tosuch can be stored in the nontransitory computer-readable storage media274.

Program modules, such as an operating system, one or more applicationprograms, other programs or modules and program data, can be stored inthe system memory 269. Program modules may include instructions foraccessing a Website, extranet site or other site or services (e.g., Webservices) and associated WebPages, other pages, screens or serviceshosted by the hosted services server computer system 114.

In particular, the system memory 269 may include communications programsthat permit the end user client processor-based systems 206 to exchangeelectronic or digital information or files or data or metadata with thehosted services server computer system 202. The communications programsmay, for example, be a Web client or browser that permits the end userclient processor-based systems 206 to access and exchange information,files, data and/or metadata with sources such as Web sites of theInternet, corporate intranets, extranets, or other networks. Such mayrequire that the end user client processor-based systems 206 havesufficient right, permission, privilege or authority for accessing agiven Website, for example, one hosted by the hosted services severcomputer system(s) 202. The browser may, for example, be markup languagebased, such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML) or Wireless Markup Language (WML), and may operate withmarkup languages that use syntactically delimited characters added tothe data of a document to represent the structure of the document.

While described as being stored in the system memory 269, the operatingsystem, application programs, other programs/modules, program dataand/or browser can be stored on the computer-readable storage media 274of the media drive(s) 273. An operator can enter commands andinformation into the end user client processor-based systems 206 via auser interface 275 through input devices such as a touch screen orkeyboard 276 and/or a pointing device 277 such as a mouse. Other inputdevices can include a microphone, joystick, game pad, tablet, scanner,etc. These and other input devices are connected to the processing unit269 through an interface such as a serial port interface that couples tothe system bus, although other interfaces such as a parallel port, agame port or a wireless interface or a universal serial bus (“USB”) canbe used. A display or monitor 278 may be coupled to the system bus via avideo interface, such as a video adapter. The end user clientprocessor-based systems 206 can include other output devices, such asspeakers, printers, etc.

FIG. 3 shows an example system 300 that includes a hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 having a processor 212 a and one or moreassociated nontransitory computer- or processor-readable storage media204. In one example, the hosted services server computer systems 202 areconfigured to provide services to an end user 302. Those services mayinclude identifying potential candidates or prospective matches forestablishing a relationship with the end user 302. Those services mayinclude review of at least one of a number of components 304 of an enduser profile of the end user 302 relative to at least one of a set ofdefined evaluation criteria 306 for at least some of those components304, and identification and possibly evaluation of discrepanciestherebetween. Those services may additionally or alternatively includereview of actions or activities by the end user 302 relative to at leastone of a set of defined evaluation criteria 306 for at least some ofthose actions or activities, and identification and possibly evaluationof discrepancies therebetween. The defined evaluation criteria mayrepresent characteristics of various end user profile components, forinstance frequency, recentness, promptness, length, and/or number ofvarious components or updates of such components. The defined evaluationcriteria may represent activities or actions by other end users, forexample other end users considered or classified as successful (e.g.,having at least a defined level of positive activity or interactionswith other end users). The other end users may be selected to sharecertain characteristics or traits with the end user that is beingsubjected to the evaluations. Those characteristics or traits may, forexample include similar or identical biographic information, similar oridentical desired traits in other end users, and/or similar or identicalgeographic location. Those services may further include, in response todetecting at least one discrepancy 308 between the components 304 of theend user 302 and the set of defined evaluation criteria 306, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 causes at least one prompt P to beprovided to the end user 302 indicative of the discrepancy.

In practice and by way of an example, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may identify successful end user entities, and thencompare at least one component of the end user with a set of definedevaluation criteria derived from components of the successful end users.In some implementations, the hosted services server computer systems 202may identify as successful end user entities, end user entities that arenot only categorized or classified as successful, but that also sharethe same or similar components (e.g., attributes, characteristics,behavior, activities, constraints or desired traits, geographiclocation) as the end user being evaluated. Based on the results of suchcomparative information and if a discrepancy exists, the hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 causes a prompt (e.g., an indicator,suggestion, message, notification, display) to the end user so that theend user may change and/or update certain components of the end user'sprofile and/or change actions or activities (e.g., increase frequency ofupdating) that may be hindering success, for instance hindering thechances of obtaining a successful relationship. For instance, updating aend user profile, adding photographs, and/or modifying attempted contactactions such as messaging behavior, based on the prompt.

More particularly, the hosted services server computer systems 202 mayidentify successful end users 308B-308N (collectively “successful endusers 308”), having the same or similar components of an end user 302,and store information on the storage medium 204 indicative of one ormore components 310 (310 a and 310 b). The assumption is that thesuccessful end users 308 have a relatively high number of positiveinteractions with other end users, which may or may not have resulted insuccessful relationships, because of at least some of the components 310of the end user profile and/or end user actions or activities. Thus, atleast one evaluation criteria 306 may be established as a proxy tocompare against at least one component 304 of the respective end userprofile and/or action or activity by the end user 302.

Each end user 308 classified as successful may be one of the end userclient entities 104 discussed with reference to FIG. 1 . The one or morecomponents 310 of the end user profiles of the successful end users 308may be any number of components, including but not limited to,information pertaining to attributes, constraints, characteristics,messages, views, reviews, images, frequencies, and the like. Forexample, components 310 a may include a component B(1) that includesinformation that a successful end user B has posted 5 images on hisprofile, and a component C(1) may include information that a successfulend user C has posted 3 images on his profile, and so on for any numberof users N having components N(1n) in which each end user identified hasat least 3 images in their respective profiles. In addition, components310 b may include a component B(2) that includes information that asuccessful end user B has a profile description that is 1729 characters,and a component C(2) may include information that successful end user Chas a profile description that is 508 characters, and so on for anynumber of users N having components N(2n) in which each end user Nidentified has a profile description of between 500 and 1000 characters.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may store theinformation pertaining to components 310 a and components 310 b in thestorage medium 204 as a set of defined evaluation criteria 306 to reviewand/or compare 312 the number of components 304 of the end user 302relative to the set of defined evaluation criteria 306. For instance, asingle defined evaluation criteria 306 a may be indicative of anevaluation criteria X(1), which is a threshold that successful end usershave at least 3 images posted on their profiles. Accordingly, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 compares 312 a component A(1) ofthe end user 302 with evaluation criteria X(1). The hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 determines whether A(1)=X(1). If A(1)=X(1),the end user A has at least 3 images on his profile and nothing furtheris done in this respect. If A(1)≠X(1), then the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 has detected a discrepancy because the end user 304has less than 3 images on his profile. This discrepancy indicates thatthe end user 304 may not have enough images on his profile in order toobtain generate interest from other end users. As a result of detectingthe discrepancy, the hosted services server computer systems 202 isconfigured to send a prompt P(1) to the end user 304 to indicate theexistence of such discrepancy. For instance, end user 304 may receive amessage generated from the hosted services server computer systems 202that indicates: Statistics show that you will likely receive moreresponses from other users if you have at least 3 images on yourprofile. Add more images now here!

Similarly, a single defined evaluation criteria 306 b may be indicativeof an evaluation criteria X(2), which includes threshold rangeinformation that successful users have a profile description between 500and 1000 characters. Accordingly, the hosted services server computersystems 202 compares 312 b component A(2) of the end user 302 withevaluation criteria X(2). The hosted services server computer systems202 determines whether A(2)=X(2). If A(2)=X(2), then the end user A hasa profile description of at least 500 characters and nothing further isdone in this respect. If A(2)≠X(2), then the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 has detected such discrepancy because the end user304 has a profile description of less than 500 characters or more than1000 characters. This discrepancy indicates, for example, that the enduser 304 may not have enough information, or has too much information,on his profile in order to obtain a successful relationship. As a resultof detecting the discrepancy, the hosted services server computersystems 202 is configured to send a prompt P(2) to the end user 304 toindicate the existence of such discrepancy as compared to successful endusers 308. The prompt P(2) may provide a solution to the end user tocorrect the discrepancy. The same holds true for any number of criteriaX(n) as compared to any number of components A(n) of the end user 302.If a discrepancy is detected between evaluation criteria X(n) andcomponent(s) A(n), a prompt P(n) is provided to end user 304. As furtherdiscussed above, the prompt may even be a meter or other indicatordisplayed on an application viewable by the end user 302 that isindicative of the relationship health or success of the end user 302. Ifthe end user 302 changes or updates components to correct thediscrepancy, the meter or other indicator may change to reflect suchchanges by the end user 302.

Advantageously, criteria X(n) may include of a plurality of evaluationcriteria pertaining to a plurality of components of end user profilesfor successful end users relative to a plurality of components aparticular end user. For example, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may identify that the end user 204 is a 45 year old malewith 4 children; has 2 images on his end user profile dated from hissenior year in College; resides in Seattle and is looking for a longterm relationship; and messages end users primarily in Portland(“components M”). The hosted services server computer systems 202 mayidentify and store information from successful end users 308 having atleast some or the same components as components A(3-9). For instance,the hosted services server computer systems 202 may only identifysuccessful end users 308 that are between 40-50 years old with 1-4child(ren), living within 50 miles of Seattle, looking for a long termrelationship. Again, success may be evaluated on a variety of criteria,for instance the number or percentage of potential candidates or matchesgenerated, the number or frequency that an end user profile is viewed, alength of time that other end users linger on an end user profile, atotal number or frequency of contact attempts received, a total numberor frequency of responses to contact attempts, a total number orfrequency of face-to-face encounters which result from contact attempts,and/or entry into a relationship that matches a stated desired type ofrelationship.

Based on at least some of the components of the successful end users308, the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes a generatedevaluation criteria (“criteria X(M)”) to be stored. As previously noted,evaluation criteria may not only specific evaluation criteria forevaluating an end user profile, but may also specify criteria forevaluating various end user actions or activities, for instance contactattempts and responding to contact attempts. The hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may compare, individually and/or collectively,criteria X(M) with components A(M) and determine that discrepanciesexist, as further discussed above. Once such discrepancies aredetermined and identified, the hosted services server computer systems202 will prompt the end user 204 accordingly. For example, the promptmay inform the end user 204 that successful end users 308 have at least3 images on their profiles; have recent images on their profiles; andonly message other end users living within 10 miles of Seattle. Thus,the end user 204 may update his profile and/or messaging behavior basedupon the prompted discrepancies determined by the hosted services servercomputer systems 202. As illustrated in this example, criteria X(n) maybe based, at least partially, on successful end users 308 sharingdemographic information with end user 302, such as men seeking womenbetween ages 40-50, having at least one child, and living in Washington.

In some embodiments, criteria X(n) may be at least partially based uponcomponents that were not derived from identified successful end users.The hosted services server computer systems 202 may store criteria X(n)on the storage medium 204 that pertains to information that certain enduser behaviors or activities do not result in a successful relationshipwith another end users based on common knowledge and/or data gatheredfrom other non-end user sources and/or from unsuccessful end usercomponents. For example, if a user has indicated that he is only lookingfor a long term relationship but he only messages users looking forshort term dating or casual encounters, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may identify the discrepancy based on the user'smessaging activities as compared to the information on the user'sprofile. In such a situation, the end user's stated intent does notmatch the end user's own actions or activities. Based on theidentification of such discrepancy, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may cause a prompt P(n) to the user indicative of saiddiscrepancy. The prompt P(n) may include a suggestion to the userpertaining to the user's behavior as contrasting the user's profileinformation.

FIG. 4 shows a high level method 400 of operating a hosted servicesserver computer systems 202 to provide hosted services, and inparticular to compare information (e.g., end user profile information,end user actions or activities) about a given end user with evaluationcriteria, and to prompt the given end user (denominated as evaluated enduser) in the event of a detected discrepancy, according to oneillustrated embodiment.

The hosted services method 400 starts at 402. For example, the hostedservices method 400 may start on powering up of a component or device ofthe hosted services server computer systems 202. Alternatively, thehosted services method 400 may start in response to a launching of anapplication by an end user client entity, or in response to a call froma calling routine executing on an end user client processor-based system110.

At 402, a trigger action occurs. The triggering action may take any of alarge variety of forms. For example, hosted services server computersystems 202 may receive a request from a user for updating a respectiveend user profile 402 a. Alternatively, the triggering action may takethe form of passage of a time period 402 b. Also for example, thetriggering action may take the form of an occurrence of some other event402 n. The trigger action 402 n may be any number or combination ofnumbers of the above. For instance, if a user is repeatedly unsuccessful(e.g., receives too few contact requests, end user profile viewed toofew times) for a defined period of time, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may automatically perform the operations shown insome or all of the methods discussed with reference to the Figures.Furthermore, if a user updates their user profile, for instance byreducing images to only one image, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may automatically review the components of the user profileas compared to evaluation criteria derived from other end users, forinstance other end users who are categorized or classified as successful(e.g., relatively high level of interaction with other end users).

At 404, for each of a number of users, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 reviews a number of components of the respectiveuser profile and/or characterizations of end user actions or activitiesfor the respective end user relative to a set of defined evaluationcriteria that specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some ofthose components and/or end user actions or activities, to determine ifthere are discrepancies therebetween.

At 406, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares atleast two profile components for consistency between one another todetermine if there is are discrepancies therebetween.

At 408, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares a userspecified current relationship status and a user specified type ofdesired relationship to determine if there are discrepanciestherebetween. Of course, 406 and 408 are optional and could be omitted.

At 410, a decision is made by the hosted services server computersystems 202 as to whether there is at least one discrepancy. Inparticular, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determinewhether there are any discrepancies between the components of therespective user profile and the set of defined evaluation criteria. Thehosted services server computer systems 202 determines whether there areany discrepancies between end user actions or activities and the set ofdefined evaluation criteria, between. The hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may determine whether there are any discrepanciesbetween two or more different components of the respective end userprofile. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may determinewhether there are any discrepancies between an indicated intent of theend user and the end user's actions or activities. For example, thehosted services server computer systems 202 may determine whether thereare any discrepancies between a current relationship status specified bythe end user and a type of directed relationship specified by the enduser. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may make othersimilar determinations. For example, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may determine whether the end user profiles the end userviews or the other end users that the end user attempts to contact orreply to are inconsistent with a stated intent. For example, if the enduser specifies a desired for a long term relationship, but views enduser profiles or attempts to contact other end users who specify shortterm relationships, the hosted services server computer systems 202 mayidentify such as a discrepancy.

If a discrepancy is found, the hosted services server computer systems202 causes a prompt to be provided to the user indicative of thediscrepancy at 412. The hosted services server computer systems 202 mayevaluate the discrepancies before determining whether or not to causethe prompt at 412. For example, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may determine whether one or more identified discrepanciesare sufficiently severe, for example critical discrepancies. Also forexample, the hosted services server computer systems 202 may evaluatehow many discrepancies are identified.

The hosted services server computer systems 202 may send a command orinstructions to an end user device to cause the prompt. The prompt maybe a visible prompt, for example text, highlight, visual emphasis oreven a presentations such as video type tutorial. The prompt mayadditionally or alternatively include an aural prompt, for examplerecorded or machine generated spoken instructions.

The method 400 terminates at 414, for example until executed again, forinstance in response to a calling routine. Alternatively, the method 400may continuously or periodically repeat.

FIG. 5 shows a method 500 of operating a hosted services server computersystems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. The method 500 maybe employed in implementing some or all of the method 400 (FIG. 4 ). At502, for each of a number of users, the hosted services server computersystems 202 reviews a number of components of the respective userprofile for the user relative to a set of defined evaluation criteriathat specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some of thosecomponents. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may alsoreview a number of end user actions or activities by the end userrelative to a set of defined evaluation criteria that specifies definedevaluation criteria. End user actions or activities may take a largevariety of forms. For example, end user activities may include how oftenor frequently an end user accesses the hosted services. End useractivities may include how often or frequently an end user attempts tocontact another end user. End user activities may include how often orfrequently an end user replies or responds to contact attemptsoriginated from other end users. The hosted services server computersystems 202 may also review a consistency between components of the enduser profile. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may alsoreview a consistency between a stated end user intent and variouscomponents of the respective end user profile and/or actions oractivities of the end user.

At 504, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determines howrecently the respective user profile was updated. At 506, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 compares a recentness of the updateor addition of the respective user profile to a defined evaluationrecentness and then proceeds to 508. Many end users are attracted to newor recently added end user profiles, and including recent pictures orphotographs. Stale end user profiles are often passed over. At 508, thehosted services server computer systems 202 identifies a discrepancy ifthe recentness of the update of the respective user profile is longerthan the defined evaluation recentness. If a discrepancy exists, at 510the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes a prompt to beprovided to the user indicative of the discrepancy then ends at 512. Ifno discrepancy exists, the method 500 ends at 512.

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 of operating a hosted services server computersystems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. The method 600 maybe employed in implementing some of all of the method 400 (FIG. 4 ). At602, for each of a number of users, the hosted services server computersystems 202 reviews a number of components of the respective userprofile for the user relative to a set of defined evaluation criteriathat specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some of thosecomponents. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may alsoreview a number of end user actions or activities by the end userrelative to a set of defined evaluation criteria that specifies definedevaluation criteria. At 604, the hosted services server computer systems202 determines how frequently the respective user profile is updated andthen proceeds to 606. Many end users are attracted to recently updatedend user profiles, and including recently updated pictures orphotographs. Stale end user profiles are often passed by. At 606, thehosted services server computer systems 202 compares the determinedfrequency of the updating of the respective user profile to a definedevaluation frequency and then proceeds to 608. At 608, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 identifies a discrepancy if thefrequency of the updating of the respective user profile is less thanthe defined evaluation frequency. If a discrepancy exists, at 610 thehosted services server computer systems 202 causes a prompt to beprovided to the user indicative of the discrepancy and then ends at 612.If no discrepancy exists, the process ends at 612.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700 of operating a hosted services server computersystems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. The method 700 maybe employed in implementing some or all of the method 400 (FIG. 4 ). At702, for each of a number of users, the hosted services server computersystems 202 reviews a number of components of the respective userprofile for the user relative to a set of defined evaluation criteriathat specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some of thosecomponents. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may alsoreview a number of end user actions or activities by the end userrelative to a set of defined evaluation criteria that specifies definedevaluation criteria. At 704, the hosted services server computer systems202 determines how recently an image of the user was updated or added tothe respective user profile. Many end users are attracted to new orrecently added pictures or photographs. Stale pictures or photographsare often passed over. At 706, the hosted services server computersystems 202 compares a recentness of the image update or addition with adefined evaluation recentness and then proceeds to 708. At 708, thehosted services server computer systems 202 identifies a discrepancy ifthe recentness of the image update or addition is longer than thedefined evaluation recentness and then proceeds to 410. If a discrepancyexists, at 710 the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes aprompt to be provided to the user indicative of the discrepancy at andthen ends at 712. If no discrepancy exists, the process ends at 712.

FIG. 8 shows a method 800 of operating a hosted services server computersystems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. The method 800 maybe employed in implementing some or all of the method 400 (FIG. 4 ). At802, for each of a number of users the hosted services server computersystems 202 reviews a number of components of the respective userprofile for the user relative to a set of defined evaluation criteriathat specifies defined evaluation criteria for at least some of thosecomponents. The hosted services server computer systems 202 may alsoreview a number of end user actions or activities by the end userrelative to a set of defined evaluation criteria that specifies definedevaluation criteria. At 804, the hosted services server computer systems202 determines a length of a profile description. It has been observedthat descriptions that are too brief may be ignored or passed over byother end users. Similarly, descriptions that are too long also tend tobe ignored or passed over by other end users. The same concept may applyto other text fields, for instance contact attempts or messages and/orreplies or responses to contact attempts or message. For At 806, thehosted services server computer systems 202 identifies a discrepancy ifthe determined length of the profile description is shorter than adefined evaluation minimum profile description length. If a discrepancyexists, at 810 the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes aprompt to be provided to the user indicative of the discrepancy and themethod 800 ends at 812. Otherwise at 808, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 identifies a discrepancy if the determined lengthof the profile description is greater than a defined evaluation maximumprofile description length. If a discrepancy exists, at 810 the hostedservices server computer systems 202 causes a prompt to be provided tothe user indicative of the discrepancy and then ends at 812. If nodiscrepancy exists, the method 800 ends at 812. While described in termsof profile description, the same approach may be employed for otherfields of text, for instance message length of contact attempts and/orreplies or responses to contact attempts.

FIG. 9A shows a method 900A of operating a hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Themethod 900A may be employed, for example, in executing that various acts402 (FIG. 4 ), 502 (FIG. 5 ), 602 (FIG. 6 ), 702 (FIG. 7 ), and/or 802(FIG. 8 ). At 902, the hosted services server computer systems 202compares a total number of images of the user (e.g., photographs orpictures of the user's own self) to a total number of images for a setof other ones of the users.

The other ones of the end users preferably share at least somedemographic information in common with the user. The demographicinformation may take the form of conventional demographic informationincluding age, height, weight, body type, hair color, eye color, race,religion, marital status, income, education level, etc. Demographicinformation may also include hobbies, alcohol, tobacco and/or illicitdrug use. Demographic information may even include information such aslikes and dislikes, type of relationship sought, and/or attributes orcharacteristics sought in others.

The other ones of the end users may be a subset of all end users,selected for example based at least in part on at least one indicator ofsuccess. For example, the subset of end users may be those who receiveat least a defined number of inquiries in a defined time period, whorespond or reply to at least a defined number of inquiries in a definedtime period, and/or who have a defined number of face-to-face meetingsin a defined period. Additionally or alternatively the subset of endusers may be those who have had their end user profiles viewed a definednumber of times in a defined period, and/or those who have had their enduser profiles or photographs lingered over for a defined length of timeby each of a defined number of other users in a defined period. Otherindications of success may be employed, such indications typicallydemonstrating a relatively high degree of interaction with other endusers.

Certain end users may be intentionally omitted or eliminated from thesubset. For example, end users with aggressive or suspicious patterns ofbehavior may be excluded or segregated from the subset. The hostedservices server computer systems 202 may review components of end userprofiles as well as end user actions and activities, evaluating forwhich one clearly fall outside of a mean or acceptable range. Fallingoutside the mean or acceptable range may indicate and end user who isattempting to cheat or scam other end users. Users who may be found tocheat or scam other users may have their profiles removed from thehosted services computer system 202. Hosted services computer system 202may ban users who may be found to cheat or scam other users fromcreating new profiles on from the hosted services computer system 202.

If the number of images for the user are less than what a sample set ofend users have, a discrepancy flag is set at 904.

At 906, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares howoften the user updates images of the user to how often a set of otherones of the users who share common demographic information with the userupdate respective images. As previously noted, frequent updating tendsto attract more interest than stale images, photographs or pictures. Ifthe user updates images less frequently, at 908 a discrepancy flag isset.

At 906, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares a totalnumber of self identified interests of the user to a total number ofself identified interests for a set of other ones of the users who sharecommon demographic information with the user. Too few identifiedinterests tend to generate minimal if any interest by other end users.In contrast, too many identified interest may also cause other end usersto pass over a profile. If the total number of self identified interestsof the user is less, at 908 a flag is set.

At 914, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares alength of self description of the user to a length of a self descriptionfor a set of other ones of the users who share common demographicinformation with the user. As previously noted, there is typically acorrelation between length of self description and interest of other endusers. Too short or too long a narrative may cause other users to passover the end user profile. If the length of self description of the useris less than a minimum length of a self description, at 916 is adiscrepancy flag is set. If the length of self description of the useris greater than a maximum length of a self description, at 916 adiscrepancy flag is set. If the length of self description of the useris within a predefined range of a length of self description, theprocess ends at 918.

FIG. 9B shows a method 900B of operating a hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Themethod 900B may, for example, be employed in executing one or more ofthe acts 402 (FIG. 4 ), 502 (FIG. 5 ), 602 (FIG. 6 ), 702 (FIG. 7 ),and/or 802 (FIG. 8 ). The method 9B may be executed immediatelyfollowing, or immediately preceding the method 900A. In someimplementations, the acts of the methods 900B and 900A may beinterleaved. Some acts may be omitted, while other acts may be added.The various acts may be performed or executed in a different order thanshown.

At 920, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares howfrequently the user updates the respective user profile to howfrequently a set of other ones of the users who share common demographicinformation with the user update the respective user profiles. Stale enduser profiles tend to be passed over, while recently updated or freshend user profiles tend to garner more interest. For example, weeklyupdates may be considered the goal, while longer periods of time betweenupdates may be discouraged. If the user updates the profile lessfrequently, at 922 a discrepancy flag is set.

At 924, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares howfrequently the user accesses the processor-based hosted services systemto how frequently a set of other ones of the users who share commondemographic information with the user access the processor-based hostedservices system. Active of frequent use of the hosted services systemtends to correlate with higher interest from other end users. If theuser accesses the system less frequently, at 926 a discrepancy flag isset.

At 928, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares howfrequently the user sends messages to other users to how frequently aset of other ones of the users who share common demographic informationwith the user send messages to other users. Attempts to contact otherend users or messaging tends to correlate strongly with attention paidby other end users or success. If the user sends messages lessfrequently, at 930 a discrepancy flag is set.

At 928, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares howfrequently the user responds to messages from other users to howfrequently a set of other ones of the users who share common demographicinformation with the user respond to messages from other users. Activelyand promptly responding or replying by the end user to attempts tocontact the end user by other end users also correlates strongly withcontinued attention paid by other end users or success. If the userresponds to messages less frequently, at 934 a discrepancy flag is set.If the user responds to messages more frequently, the process ends at936.

FIG. 9C shows a method 900C of operating a hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Themethod 900C may, for example, follow the methods 900A (FIG. 9A) and/or900B (FIG. 9B).

The method 900 starts at 938, for example in response to a call from acalling routine. At 940, the hosted services server computer systems 202identifies whether a discrepancy was identified or found. The hostedservices server computer systems 202 may, for example, check a set ofdiscrepancy flags, which may have been set in the methods 900A (FIG. 9A)and/or 900B (FIG. 9B). Additionally or alternatively, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 may be executing any one or more ofacts 410 (FIG. 4 ), 508 (FIG. 5 ), 608 (FIG. 6 ), 708 (FIG. 7 ), and 806(FIG. 8 ) The set of discrepancy flags may, for instance be stored as aword, each bit representing a flag or status for a respectivediscrepancy type. As previously explained, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may check for a severity level of the discrepancyand/or total number of discrepancies in evaluating the discrepanciesand 1) determining whether to provide a prompt to the end user, and 2)what type of prompt should be provided to the end user.

If a discrepancy exists, at 942 the hosted services server computersystems 202 causes a prompt to be provided to the user and cause apresentation of at least an indication of an existence of an apparentinconsistency. The prompt may include at least one or more userselectable icons, selection of which is indicative of whether the userintended the apparent inconsistency. At 944, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 determines whether the discrepancy or inconsistencywas or is intended. If the discrepancy or inconsistency is determined tohave been intended, the method 900C ends at 946. If the discrepancy orinconsistency is determined to have been unintentional, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 identifies other end users at 948for comparison purposes.

Preferably, the identification of other end users is limited to activeend users, rather than end users who have dropped out or who do notactively participate at a high enough frequency. Active end users tendto provide information that is more representative of the class of endusers who are being targeted than inactive end users.

Preferably, the identification of other end users takes into accountgeographic proximity to the other end users to the end user.Geographically proximate end users may be more representative thangeographically distant end users. For instance, end users in a city mayhave different preferences than end users in a suburb or rural area, oreven different from end users in a different city. However, it is alsodesirable that the size of the sample is sufficiently large thatinformation is not attributable to any specific end user. Thus, it maybe necessary to trade off geographical proximity (i.e., a proxy forrepresentativeness) for anonymity.

At 950, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determineswhether a sufficient number of active users are in the geographic area.Again, it is desirable that information is not attributable to specificactive end users, thus it may be desirable to increase a size of ageographic area from which end users are drawn to increase the anonymityof the information. Additionally, sample sizes that are too small arestatistically meaningless or uninformative. If the number of activeusers is not sufficiently large to ensure either anonymity and/orstatistical significance, the hosted services server computer systems202 increases the geographic area at 952. The method returns control to952, successively increasing a geographic area until a sufficiently widegeographic area has been reached or optionally a defined limit reached(e.g., 100 km radius). At 954 the hosted services server computersystems 202 generates comparative information based only on active usersin the original or newly expanded geographic area. At 956, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 causes presentation of thecomparative information to the user. The method 900C ends at 946, forexample until called again by a calling routine.

FIG. 10 shows a method 1000 of operating a hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Themethod 1000 may be employed in executing any of acts 412 (FIG. 4 ), 510(FIG. 5 ), 610 (FIG. 6 ), 710 (FIG. 7 ), and 808 (FIG. 8 ).

At 1006, the hosted services server computer systems 202 causescomparative information to be presented to the user, and the comparativeinformation is indicative of components of user profiles for other onesof the users who share at least one attribute with the user.

FIG. 11 shows a method 1100 of operating a hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Themethod 1100 may be employed in executing any of acts 412 (FIG. 4 ), 510(FIG. 5 ), 610 (FIG. 6 ), 710 (FIG. 7 ), and 808 (FIG. 8 ).

The method 1100 starts at 1101, for example in response to a call from acalling routine. At 1102, the hosted services server computer systems202 causes a visual indication to be displayed at least proximate atleast one of an item of information or a field in which at least anapparent discrepancy appears. The visual indication may take any of alarge variety of forms. Such may include icons (user selectable or not),text, numbers and/or symbols, different colors, fonts, and/or sizes.

At 1104, the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes visualindication in the form of a highlighting of an item of information or afield, a bounding of an item of information or a field, or displaying aballoon at least proximate at least one of an item of information or afield in which at least an apparent discrepancy appears. Such may takeany of a large variety forms that provide visual emphasis. For instance,highlighting may include standard use of a different color, or ablinking or flashing affect, Bounding may include providing a marqueetype affect. A balloon may include a lead line to the relevant item ofinformation.

At 1106, the hosted services server computer systems 202 causes ananchored evaluation prompt to be displayed on each of a plurality ofpages presented to the user. The anchored evaluation prompt may beindicative of a respective evaluation of the user. An anchoredevaluation prompt is a prompt that is anchored to a position or locationacross multiple pages. Anchoring makes the evaluation easy to findacross the pages. At 1108, the hosted services server computer systems202 causes an anchored evaluation prompt to be displayed on each of aplurality of pages presented to the user. In some implementations, theanchored evaluation prompt may take the form of a dashboard or otherwidget. The dashboard may include a meter that is displayed on theplurality of pages presented to the user. The meter may be indicative ofthe respective evaluation of the user. For example, the meter mayrepresent an overall evaluation score of the end user, for instance withrespect to other end users. The method 1100 ends at 1110.

FIG. 12 shows a method 1200 of operating the hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one illustrated embodiment. Such maybe used to assess how effective an end user profile or image is atattracting other end users, particularly before and after a change tosuch.

The method 1200 starts at 1202, for example in response to a call from acalling routine. At 1204, the hosted services server computer systems202 determines at least one value indicative of an occurrence and/oramount of time of lingering by other users on at least one of a field ora piece of content of the respective user profile of the user prior to achange in the at least one of the field or the piece of content of therespective user profile of the user. At 1206, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 determines at least one value indicative of anoccurrence and/or amount of time of lingering by other users on at leastone of a field or a piece of content of the respective user profile ofthe user following the change in the at least one of the field or thepiece of content of the respective user profile of the user. Thevalue(s) may be indicative of the number of times other end userslinger, for example for a period exceeding some minimum threshold (e.g.,10 seconds). The value(s) may be indicative of an amount of time otherend users linger. Such may be on an end user by other end user basis, ormay be some type cumulative value, for instance an average or medianvalue.

At 1208, the hosted services server computer systems 202 compares thevalue(s) indicative of lingering by other users following the change tothe value(s) indicative of lingering by other users prior to the change.Again, such may be indicative of the effectiveness of the change(s) inattracting the attention of other end users. At 1210, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 reports a result of the comparingto the user, and then ends at 1212.

FIG. 13 shows a method 1300 of operating the hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one embodiment. The method 1300 maybe effective a determining whether an end user is attempting to contactother end users at a suitable rate.

The method 1300 starts at 1302, for example in response to a call by acalling routine. At 1304, the hosted services server computer systems202 determines a frequency of sending messages to other users by theuser. At 1306, the hosted services server computer systems 202 comparesthe determined frequency so a defined lower frequency threshold. At1308, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determine whetherthe frequency is below the defined lower frequency threshold. If thefrequency is below the defined lower frequency threshold, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 prompts the user, or causes theuser to be prompted, to send more messages (e.g., attempted contacts ofother end users). While not illustrated, the hosted services servercomputer systems 202 may also compare the determined frequency to adefined upper frequency threshold, prompting end users who are above thedefined upper frequency threshold. Such may identify end users who sendso many requests for contact as to be considered pests or overlyaggressive. The method 1300 ends at 1312.

FIG. 14 shows a method 1400 of operating the hosted services servercomputer systems 202, according to one embodiment. The method 1400 maybe used to provide feedback to an end user that helps the end userunderstand what those the end user is targeting desired. Thus, if an enduser is targeting other end users with a first set of traits orattributes, it would be useful for that end user to know what thosetargeted end users desire in a potential candidate or match. Such mayhelp guide the end user in developing their own end user profile andactions or activities to be more attractive or appealing to those theend user is targeting.

The method 1400 starts at 1402, for example in response to a call by acalling routine. At 1404, the hosted services server computer systems202 identifies a set of other users based on information supplied by theuser. The information supplied by the user may be indicative ofattributes the end user desires in other end users. Such may includevarious demographic attributes or traits, for instance height, weight,age, income, education level, type of relationship, interests, hobbies,etc. At 1406, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determinesa set of shared attributes the other end users in the identified set ofother end users desire. In other words, what is it that these other endusers are looking for or desire in seeking a relationship. At 1408, thehosted services server computer systems 202 provides the original enduser with an indication of at least some of the shared attributes in thedetermined set of shared attributes.

FIG. 15 shows a method 1500, according to one illustrated embodiment.The method 1500 may be employed in or more of the other methods. Inparticular, many end users may receive numerous messages or attempts tocontact from other end users. End user with particularly desirabletraits or attributes as represented in their respective end userprofiles, images, etc. may be overwhelmed with these messages. Themethod 1500 addresses such a problem.

The method 1500 starts at 1502, for example in response to a call by acalling routine.

At 1504, the hosted services server computer systems 202 determines arelative order for a plurality of messages sent to an end user byvarious other end users. In determining the relative order, the hostedservices server computer systems 202 may use one or more user specifiedcriteria and/or one or more system specified criteria. For example, indetermining the relative order, the hosted services server computersystems 202 may use an assessment of how well a send end user matcheswith the recipient end user. Such assessment may be based on the variousattributes specified in the respective end user profiles, with orwithout system specified attributes or criteria. The assessment mayemploy various algorithms, for example algorithms specified in theapplicant's other patent applications, which are incorporated herein byreference. Other end users who are deemed better matches or potentialcandidates may be ranked higher than other end users. It is noted thatmany of these algorithms do not necessarily equate exact matches withbeing a best match or potential candidates. In fact, some differencestend to be desirable in relationships of various types (e.g., personal,business). Thus, the algorithm may introduce this looseness in matchingor one or more system specified criteria may introduce such. The rankingmay be a ranking across a continuous spectrum, or may be segmented intogroups (e.g., high, middle, low).

At 1506, the hosted services server computer systems 202 automaticallysegregates a number of messages sent to the end user based at least inpart on the determined order which was based on at least one definedcriteria. For example, a plurality of messages in an inbox or field in awindow may be ordered sequentially according to the determined order.For instance, message from those considered to be best matches or bestpotential candidates may appear first, followed by messages from lowerranked potential candidates. This is in contrast to typically electronicmessage systems which may order messages by date received, date sent,sender, recipient or subject fields.

The method 1500 then ends at 1510.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents,U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreignpatents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publicationsreferred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application DataSheet, including but not limited to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/204,939, filed Mar. 11, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/780,391, filed Mar. 13, 2013; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/691,082, filed Aug. 20, 2012; U.S. Patent Publication No.2010/0262611, published Oct. 14, 2010; and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/756,912, filed Jan. 25, 2013, are incorporated hereinby reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can bemodified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A method of operating a hosted-services system, the methodcomprising: identifying a subset of the users as successful users basedat least in part on one or more defined success-evaluation criteria thatinclude: a defined number or rate of positive interactions with otherusers, and a defined number of photos in a user's profile; detecting adiscrepancy from desired behavior between the components of a targetuser's user profile and a set of defined evaluation criteria, whereinthe discrepancy is the piece of content; determining whether thediscrepancy from desired behavior is sufficiently large to cause asuggestion for correcting the discrepancy that includes modifying theuser's messaging behavior, wherein the suggestion is changing the pieceof content; determining a first value indicative of the defined numberof the photos in a user's profile; and determining a second valueindicative of the defined number the photos in a user's profilefollowing a change in the piece of content in the user's profile,wherein a difference between the first value and the second valueindicates an effectiveness of the change in the piece of content inattracting attention of the another user.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining a value that represents an action takenby the target user; comparing the determined value to anevaluation-criteria value for the successful users; determining whethera discrepancy exists between the determined value and the definedevaluation-criteria value for the successful users; and in response todetermining that the discrepancy exists, prompting the user of theexistence of the discrepancy.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the userprofile is compared to the set of defined evaluation criteria inresponse to a request received from the target user.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the user profile is compared to the set of definedevaluation criteria in response to an updating of the user profile bythe target user.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile iscompared to the set of defined evaluation criteria automatically on aperiodic basis, independent of any requests received from the targetuser.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining howrecently the target user profile was updated; comparing a recentness ofthe update of the target user profile to a defined evaluationrecentness; and identifying a discrepancy between the recentness of theupdate of the target user profile and the defined evaluation recentness.7. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing comparativeinformation to be presented to the target user.
 8. The method of claim7, further comprising causing presentation of comparative information ofother users to the target user.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising limiting the other users to ones in a certain geographicarea.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising comparing a totalnumber of images of the target user to a total number of images for aset of other users who share common demographic information with thetarget user.
 11. A hosted services system comprising: communicationsports that provide communications with a plurality of end user devices,the end user devices logically associable with a plurality of userclient accounts of the processor-based hosted services, the user clientaccounts logically associable with user clients of the processor-basedhosted service; a nontransitory processor-readable medium that storesprocessor executable instructions; and a processor communicativelycoupled to the communications ports and the processor-readable medium,wherein the processor executes the processor-executable instructions andcauses the processor to: identify a subset of the users as successfulusers based at least in part on one or more defined success-evaluationcriteria that include at least 1) a defined number or rate of positiveinteractions with other users and 2) a recency of photos in a user'sprofile; detect a discrepancy from desired behavior between thecomponents of a target user's user profile and a set of definedevaluation criteria, wherein the discrepancy is the piece of content;determine whether the discrepancy from desired behavior is sufficientlylarge to cause a suggestion for correcting the discrepancy that includesmodifying the user's messaging behavior, wherein the at least onesuggestion is changing the piece of content; determine a first valueindicative of the recency of the photos in a user's profile; anddetermine a second value indicative of the recency of the photos in auser's profile following a change in the piece of content in the user'sprofile, wherein a difference between the first value and the secondvalue indicates an effectiveness of the change in the piece of contentin attracting attention of the another user.
 12. The hosted servicessystem of claim 11, wherein the processor further: determines a valuethat represents an action taken by the target user; compares thedetermined value to an evaluation-criteria value for the successfulusers; determines whether a discrepancy exists between the determinedvalue and the defined evaluation-criteria value for the successfulusers; and in response to determining that the discrepancy exists,prompts the user of the existence of the discrepancy.
 13. The hostedservices system of claim 11, wherein the processor compares the numberof components in response to a request received from the target user.14. The hosted services system of claim 11, wherein the processorautomatically compares the number of components in response to anupdating of the user profile by the target user.
 15. The hosted servicessystem of claim 11, wherein the processor automatically compares thenumber of components on a periodic basis, independent of any requestsreceived from the target user.
 16. The hosted services system of claim11, wherein the processor further: determines how recently the targetuser profile was updated; compares a recentness of the update of thetarget user profile to a defined evaluation recentness; and identifies adiscrepancy between the recentness of the update of the target userprofile and the defined evaluation recentness.
 17. The hosted servicessystem of claim 11, wherein the processor further: determines howfrequently the target user profile is updated; compares the determinedfrequency of the updating of the target user profile to a definedevaluation frequency; and identifies a discrepancy between the frequencyof the updating of the target user profile and the defined evaluationfrequency.
 18. The hosted services system of claim 11, wherein theprocessor further: determines how recently an image of the user wasupdated on the target user profile; compares a recentness of the imageupdate with a defined evaluation recentness; and identifies adiscrepancy between the recentness of the image update and the definedevaluation recentness.
 19. The hosted services system of claim 11,wherein the processor further: determines a length of a profiledescription, and identifies a discrepancy between the determined lengthof the profile description and a defined evaluation profile descriptionlength.
 20. A method of operating a hosted-services system, the methodcomprising: identifying a subset of the users as successful users basedat least in part on one or more defined success-evaluation criteria thatinclude: a defined number or rate of positive interactions with otherusers, and a number of listed interests in a user's profile; detecting adiscrepancy from desired behavior between the components of a targetuser's user profile and a set of defined evaluation criteria, whereinthe discrepancy is the piece of content; determining whether thediscrepancy from desired behavior is sufficiently large to cause asuggestion for correcting the discrepancy that includes modifying theuser's messaging behavior, wherein the suggestion is changing the pieceof content; and determine a difference between a first value indicativeof the number of the listed interests in a user's profile and a secondvalue indicative of the number of the listed interests in a user'sprofile following a change in the piece of content in the user's profilethat is indicates an effectiveness of the change in the piece of contentin attracting attention of the another user.